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Southern Michigan offers the Great Lakes experience on both sides. Southwestern Michigan features campgrounds on the sandy dunes of Lake Michigan, while the southeastern side of the state boast a sunrise view from campgrounds on Lake Erie. Michigan's state park system includes a variety of camping options, including tent sites, cottages and RV sites.

Sterling State Park

Sterling State Park, located on Lake Erie, offers over 1,300 acres of hiking, biking, fishing and boating. More than a mile of white sandy beach welcomes visitors for sunbathing, swimming or picnicking. The Sterling-Marsh Trails take hikers, cyclists and skiers on a six-mile route throughout the park. Camping is offered at a modern campground, situated on the lakeshore, that includes electric service, picnic shelters and modern restrooms.

Lake Hudson Recreation Area

Lake Hudson is located in southeast Michigan. The state-sponsored recreation area is classified as a dark sky preserve dedicated to the study of the stars. Astronomers join campers, swimmers and sports enthusiasts at the nearly 3,000-acre site that is located just over an hour's drive south of Ann Arbor. The area has only unmarked trails, but does include picnic shelters. Camping at the recreation area includes 50 semi-modern sites that have electricity, but only vault-type toilets.

Warren Dunes State Park

The approximately 2,000 acres of the Warren Dunes State Park encompass three miles of shoreline, six miles of hiking trails, and white sandy dunes that soar nearly 300 feet above the shore. Hiking, birding, swimming and picnicking are popular park activities. Due to the fragile ecosystem of the dunes, hiking is limited to nature trails and marked walking loops. These vary from less than 1/4 mile to over six miles in length.

Year-round camping at the dunes include six group sites, 36 rustic sites with vault toilets, and a modern campground that hosts campers at 182 sites with an option of mini-cabins. The modern site has full-plumbing restrooms and a playground, as well as access to electricity.

Fort Custer Recreation Area

Fort Custer Recreation Area, located in Augusta, Michigan, between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, features over 3,000 acres of land and a small lake. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating and swimming activities are available in the summer, as well as trails for horseback riding. The park hosts winter activities including snowmobile excursions, cross country skiing and dog sledding.

Camping options include three rustic cabins, two group camp sites, and 219 modern camping spots that offer electric service and modern restrooms. Rates vary with the season.

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About the Author

Lee Grayson has worked as a freelance writer since 2000. Her articles have appeared in publications for Oxford and Harvard University presses and research publishers, including Facts On File and ABC-CLIO. Grayson holds certificates from the University of California campuses at Irvine and San Diego.

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